Matchroom’s Hearn expected to increase Prem influence
Eddie Hearn is expected to expand his role in English rugby after meeting Premiership Rugby leaders in Monaco. League chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor says Hearn could help grow the sport through representing more leading players, staging events and developing commercial opportunities.
Hearn has signed England internationals Finn Russell and Henry Pollock and has said he wants to raise rugby’s profile. Separately, the league’s latest financial report says all 10 clubs meet the standards for 2026-27; revenues have risen and forecast losses are down by £26.7m, although no club is yet profitable. The Premiership aims to grow to 12 teams by 2030-31, with new entrants required to spend a season in the second tier and pay about £20m for a P-Share.
In short
- Hearn is expected to increase his influence in English rugby.
- The Premiership’s 10 clubs meet financial standards for 2026-27.
- The league plans to expand to 12 teams by 2030-31.
Explained simply
Premiership Rugby is the top men’s league in English club rugby, featuring 10 teams. The league is run by Premiership Rugby, whose chief executive is Simon Massie-Taylor.
Eddie Hearn is a sports promoter who leads Matchroom, best known for organising boxing events. He has begun representing rugby players, including England internationals Finn Russell and Henry Pollock, and has spoken about raising the sport’s profile.
The league’s clubs have increased their revenues but still make losses, and its plans include growing to 12 teams by 2030-31. Any new club would have to spend a season in the second tier and pay about £20m for a P-Share, a stake that carries rights linked to the league.